Katy Perry Reportedly Banned from China Indefinitely Because of This 2015 Sunflower Dress

Katy Perry has been banned indefinitely from China, just days before she was scheduled to perform at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai, Page Six reports. According to sources, Chinese officials reversed a decision to grant Katy a visa after being made aware of a sunflower dress the singer wore during a 2015 concert in Taipei. At the time, Katy’s dress was perceived by China as her voicing support for Taiwanese anti-China protestors, who made the sunflower as part of their campaign the year before. At one point during her 2015 concert, Katy even draped a Taiwanese flag over her sunflower dress, further angering a country that has long refused to recognize Taiwan as its territory.

A local newspaper showing Katy Perry and her controversial dress and flag in April 2015.

SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

As one Page Six source explains, “For every artist who wants to perform in China, officials comb through their social media and press reports to see if they have done anything deemed to be offensive to the country.” Katy has now joined the likes of Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Oasis, and Björk, who have all been banned from entering China.

On Thursday, Gigi Hadid announced that she would be skipping this year’s VS Fashion Show, writing on Twitter that she’s “so bummed.”

I’m so bummed I won’t be able to make it to China this year. Love my VS family, and will be with all my girls in spirit!! Can't wait to tune in with everyone to see the beautiful show I know it will be, and already can't wait for next year! :) x